Chapter 8: Treacherous Paths Yet Unyielding Resolve Repaid

As autumn began, the mornings grew increasingly cold, and dawn came later each day. At night, the wind would blow fiercely, scattering a vast carpet of fallen leaves.

Lu Xiao knew all too well that on days like this, he would be summoned each morning to sweep up the leaves, making his days even busier than usual.

Up in the attic, Xue Shiwei and Lu Yun were having a light breakfast.

“Shiwei, has there been any news from the Academy lately? Why not stay a while longer in Yonglin City... It’s so dull at home without you.”

Hearing this, Xue Shiwei smiled gently.

“I told you to come home and focus on your cultivation, yet all you do is play around. If Mr. Guo found out, he’d surely punish you.”

Both Lu Yun and Xue Shiwei were disciples at the Wuzong Academy in the capital, studying the martial path. There had once been debates back in the Xia Kingdom about how students should address their martial instructors. After much dispute, it was finally settled that all teachers, whether instructing martial arts or literature, would be called “sir” or “teacher.”

“Shiwei, please don’t tell Mr. Guo. He’s been getting stricter lately. If he finds out, I won’t have a single peaceful day at home.”

The two were close, and Lu Yun was not too worried about Xue Shiwei revealing her mischief. They finished their breakfast and wandered about the attic.

Xue Shiwei turned her head and once again caught sight of Lu Xiao practicing his cultivation.

“Your fourth brother doesn’t live here, does he? He seems to like coming here to train.”

The previous night, after resting for two hours and waking midway, Lu Xiao had come to train regardless of the hour. This was the second time Xue Shiwei had seen him practicing in the Lu family manor during her brief visit.

Lu Yun frowned at Xue Shiwei’s remark.

“Shiwei, please don’t call him ‘fourth brother.’ It makes me uncomfortable. Who even considers him a brother? Given how he is, he hardly deserves that title.”

Xue Shiwei said nothing, merely observing her. Lu Yun did not dwell on it either, turning her gaze toward Lu Xiao in the distance.

“You don’t know, Shiwei. Our quarters are the farthest from the old madam’s and the madam’s courtyards. The servants have to take a long detour just to find him. He’s just avoiding work, selfish and self-centered—you can tell from everything he says and does.”

There was a trace of disdain in Lu Yun’s tone.

But Xue Shiwei saw it differently. No young man would willingly allow his spiritual bone to be taken, harming himself to benefit others. Such behavior was hardly selfishness.

She kept these thoughts to herself, knowing any argument would be fruitless.

The “Gang Qi Heart Formula,” refined to its second stage, had greatly enhanced its potential. This martial method, popular among the common folk of the Xia Kingdom for health and strength, now carried the power of martial refinement.

With each punch, a roaring wind surged forth. The formula, rooted in fist techniques, cultivated both the body and mind of the practitioner.

After just over three hours of training, Lu Xiao already felt the benefits. The improvements to his physique were tangible, perhaps because his foundation had been so shallow that the enhancements felt especially pronounced.

His physical strength and stamina limits had both risen significantly. The second-stage “Gang Qi Heart Formula” was a far cry from its first stage, offering much greater aid.

It refined the body’s energy and consolidated the mind. At this level, it was no longer a simple health method but bore a certain mystical quality.

Xue Shiwei recognized the method Lu Xiao was practicing well. The descendants of the Xue family, being of noble rank, would not train in such basic techniques, though they might have encountered them as children during play.

The “Gang Qi Heart Formula” was merely a strengthening exercise. Its benefits were predictable — slightly stronger physique and a bit more vigor.

If it truly offered greater aid, the Lu family manor would never have allowed Lu Xiao to learn it.

“Shiwei, don’t you find him annoying? Always flailing like that—I’m quite annoyed watching him. I’m going to chase him off so he stops embarrassing himself here.”

As she spoke, Lu Yun started to head downstairs.

Xue Shiwei quickly stopped her, “Don’t go. It’s not easy for him... If you chase your fourth brother away, I’ll feel guilty.”

Framing the comment as her own concern made Lu Yun pause.

She didn’t drive Lu Xiao off but stayed by Xue Shiwei’s side, softly murmuring about how pitying him wasn’t helpful—pitiful people were often the most detestable.

Xue Shiwei offered no rebuttal. Her gaze involuntarily returned to Lu Xiao, still practicing.

In truth, she harbored some doubts. The “Gang Qi Heart Formula,” being so basic, should yield minimal improvement.

Yet Lu Xiao’s punches seemed markedly stronger than a few days ago, the force of his blows almost capable of cleaving the air.

This surprised and intrigued her, but she kept her thoughts silent. She understood Lu Xiao’s position in the Lu family manor well.

If she praised him, the Lu family might not believe it. But if they did, who knew what schemes they might devise against him.

Born into the Xue noble house, she was no stranger to diligent cultivation being praised by elders, but for Lu Xiao, such earnestness was not accepted.

Watching him train, it wasn’t long before several servants came looking for him, bearing troublesome chores as usual.

Seeing this, Xue Shiwei frowned deeply. For a moment, she almost wanted to scold the servants, but restrained herself — after all, this was the Lu family manor, and it was not her place to meddle in their affairs.

Not far off, Lu Xiao did not argue but followed the servants to carry out the tasks.

All of this was expected—the servants from the madam’s courtyard would come calling soon after dawn.

They treated Lu Xiao politely, aware that he was a noble heir, albeit an unloved one.

Still, they spoke cautiously, always invoking the madam and the old madam’s authority when there was an issue.

If Lu Xiao refused to comply, he would be seen as defying his elders, and that would be his responsibility alone.